History

Silsden AFC was formed in September 1904 and has seen many teams come and go playing Saturdays and Sundays.

The present Saturday senior team has been playing since the 1996/97 season, starting life in the Craven & District Football League Division Two after the said team had progressed through the junior section within the club.

They spent 3 years in the Craven League moving up to the Premier Division and in the last year in that division, set a new record of going through the season unbeaten in all competitions. From there they joined the West Riding County Amateur League in Division Two and quickly gained promotion up into the Premier Division where they enjoyed three seasons.

In season 2002/2003 Silsden set another record in going through the season unbeaten in all competitions. To add to this they also won the West Riding County Challenge Cup for the third successive season, a feat only achieved by one other club.

It was clear that the team was ready for football at a higher level and in season 2004/2005 Silsden joined the North West Counties League. Without floodlights and an enclosed pitch, the Cobbydalers were forced to play their home games at Cougar Park, the home of Rugby League Club, Keighley Cougars. The Cobbydalers gained promotion to the top division in their inaugural season, finishing as runners up to runaway winners Cammell Laird, and had their most successful runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase Competitions.

The club's aim was to move back to the Keighley Road ground at the earliest opportunity and the club (Football and Cricket) embarked on a period of fund raising accrueing over £100,000. Finally the development took place, with the help of a £663,453 grant from the Football Foundation, as part of its continuing investment in grass-roots football and an additional Football Foundation grant of £300,000 through the Community Club Development Programme.

In May 2009 the building of a new clubhouse & changing facilities was completed and August 2010 saw the completion of the ground improvements which meant a return of Silsden AFC to its rightful place.... back in Silsden!

The Cobbydalers have maintained their position in the top division of the NWCFL and in 2015 embark on their tenth season in the division, their best year being in season 2008-09 when they finished ninth with 58 points.

Silsden AFC have also a progressive junior set up with age groups running from Under 5's right through to Under 19's. Some age groups run two teams making this one of the largest football clubs in the area. There is a prestigious Junior Competition each year running over the first weekend of July and the club also have three ladies teams. With the of the folding of the NWCFL League, Silsden Reserves will be playing in the Lancashire League East Division in 2014-15.

The club prides itself on being a Friendly Club with close links with the Community. Various Charity events are held every summer on the field along with the facilities being used by the local Primary School, Silsden Majorettes and the Scouts. Bradford Schools use the fields for their home games and there are plans for Craven College to use them. This summer Camping was held as the Tour de France passed the ground with five helicopters landing and taking off from the first team pitch.

Matchday Information

Ground: The Cobbydale Construction Stadium

Address: Keighley Road, Silsden, West Yorkshire

Postcode: BD20 0EH

Telephone: 01535 958850

Midweek Night: Tuesday

2018/19 Admission Prices: £6 Adults, £3 Concessions

Programme Price: £1.50

Directions: A629 Skipton to Keighley road, take A6034, ground in on the left after the golf driving range